Author Topic: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880  (Read 6726 times)

Offline K8T

  • RootsChat Senior
  • ****
  • Posts: 417
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« on: Tuesday 23 August 22 11:16 BST (UK) »
I'm looking for a photo of Coney Hall, built by Sir Henry Lennard in 1880.  There appears to be a void on the internet of photos of this hall.  I can find reference to Coney Hall Farm but not the Hall.  There seems to be very little information about the Hall other than it became a Shaftsbury Children's Home around the mid 1930s and was destroyed by fire, possibly in the Blitz but still unsure of this.  I know it was hit by a bomb in 1940 killing to members of staff. 
At some point it was also referred to as Coney Hill.
Any information and photos would be greatly appreciated.
K8T

Offline maddys52

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,252
  • Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.
    • View Profile
Re: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 23 August 22 11:40 BST (UK) »
I assume this is Coney Hall on this 1907 map (shows "Coney Hall Farm" and "Coney Hill" a little north.
https://maps.nls.uk/view/103676678

A few mentions of Coney Hall in newspapers, including a number of letters to the editor regarding Sir John Lennard putting  up a wall enclosing Wickham Common
(Saturday,  May 10, 1890, Publication: Daily News)

Modified to add:
Still being advertised in 1959 - the Shaftsbury Society at Coney Hill, West Wickham, though I guess it may not be in the original building?
Wednesday,  Mar. 4, 1959, Publication: The Times

Offline K8T

  • RootsChat Senior
  • ****
  • Posts: 417
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 23 August 22 11:51 BST (UK) »
Thanks maddys52. 
This has confused me.  The research I've done so far gave the impression that Coney Hall Farm was Coney Hall but I have also found an early 20th century map which just states 'Coney Hall' so now I'm not so sure.
Are you able to look at the newspapers you have stated without subscribing?

Offline maddys52

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,252
  • Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.
    • View Profile
Re: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 23 August 22 12:00 BST (UK) »
I look up old newspapers online (free) through my Australian National Library card which gives me access to British Library Newspapers (via Gale Primary Sources). Not sure where you are, but I think many libraries offer similar access.

Modified to add:
Happy to copy some items for you - though it's my bedtime now so can organise it tomorrow if you'd like.  :)


Offline K8T

  • RootsChat Senior
  • ****
  • Posts: 417
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 23 August 22 12:20 BST (UK) »
That would be fantastic, thanks.

Offline maddys52

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,252
  • Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.
    • View Profile
Re: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 24 August 22 03:13 BST (UK) »
No worries.  :) Will send you a pm.

Reading through another article about the Wickham Common enclosure I note it says :
"One of the free paths at present existing runs from Sir John Lennard's own house across Coney Farm, through the enclosure, all the way to Lord Derby's estate at Keston"
Thursday,  May 1, 1890
Publication: Daily News

I think this implies that his house (presumably the one shown on the map at Coney Hill) is separate to Coney Farm.

Offline Kay99

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,548
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 24 August 22 06:37 BST (UK) »
If Coney Hall Farm and Coney Hall are the same place this is listed as a painting of Coney Hall Farm  :-\  https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/coney-hall-farm-193161

Kay


Offline maddys52

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,252
  • Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.
    • View Profile
Re: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 24 August 22 11:27 BST (UK) »
I will admit to getting very confused reading through many advertisments and family notices with Coney Hall Farm/Coney Hall/Coney Hill (will send you copies), however I wonder if this was the property? Advertised for sale in 1928.
Monday,  June 18, 1928, Publication: The Times

Offline maddys52

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,252
  • Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.
    • View Profile
Re: Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent built 1880
« Reply #8 on: Wednesday 24 August 22 11:49 BST (UK) »
There seems to be very little information about the Hall other than it became a Shaftsbury Children's Home around the mid 1930s and was destroyed by fire, possibly in the Blitz but still unsure of this.

Articles in The Times say the Shaftesbury Society was gifted a house "Coney Hill" in Dec 1934 and it opened in July 1935. "a large modern house and stands on a hill top with four acres of ground."